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In 1896, the Washington Salon and Art Photographic Exhibit took place at the Cosmos Club. Containing a variety of amateur photographic works, the salon was the first of its kind in America and helped establish photography as a valid form of artistic expression. The Smithsonian Institution’s assistant secretary, G. Brown Goode, and its official photographer, Thomas W. Smillie, visited the salon and selected 50 entries to become part of the Smithsonian’s new Section of Photography. Continue the photographic tradition by learning darkroom skills not that different from those of the early salon years.
This course provides a thorough introduction to the 35mm camera and the basics of photo darkroom techniques. Learn how to use your camera, compose a photograph, develop film, and make a print. Lecture-demonstrations, class assignments, critiques, and practical darkroom work help you to understand photography from shutter speed to finished print.
Bring a 35mm adjustable camera to the first class; film and photographic paper to buy are discussed at that time. Developing chemicals are provided.
The instructor is Paul Matthai.
8 sessions, 3 hours each
About the Instructor
Paul Matthai has been a photographer since 1975. His work has ranged from photojournalistic travelogues to contemporary fine art photography. Paul has photographed in exotic locations abroad such as Turkey, the Persian Gulf, Europe and Africa. Locations closer to home include the natural beauty of Big Sur on the Northern California coast line, the Grand Canyon, Southern Utah, White Sands New Mexico, the Shenandoah Mountains, and, in particular, Southern Maryland. Matthai currently teaches photography at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC and has lectured at the Corcoran College of Art and Design. More..